Posts

I don’t know if there has been larger pressure on any Dallas rookie than there is on Dez Bryant. Over the last several years television and NFL coverage has expanded which has put every NFL team under a microscope.

Combine that with the fact that Dez Bryant was suspended by the NCAA for lying about corresponding with Deion Sanders, and also the fact that he’s such an amazing talent with a team that many believe will go to the Super Bowl where their own stadium is hosting, and you get a kid who’s got a mountain on top of him.

Well, he’s going to have to wait a little longer to show what he can do because Jerry Jones has announced to the press that Dez Bryant will NOT be playing this Thursday in preseason.

As many of you know, I had the opportunity to see Dez Bryant at the first training camp, and while I do not have a degree in psychology, I believe I can give you an insight as to his character.

I think Jerry Jones wants to ease Dez Bryant into the league, but Dez has a chip on his shoulder and wants to show the world why he’s going to be the next great receiver.

He was the first player on the field at camp. He was practicing before everyone else, and he actually looked like he worked harder than everyone else. I saw him jumping for balls, diving to make catches, getting on his knees, and one-handed catches.

He refused to carry Roy Williams pads not because he wants to break tradition, but because he is so focused on coming into the National Football League and proving himself. I think he has the same attitude as Randy Moss did when he entered. He was spurned by many NFL teams, and he wants to say, “Look at what you passed up on. Choke on this.”

Dez Bryant suffered a high ankle sprain, probably from over-exerting himself, and Jerry Jones has stated that he felt the Cowboys organization was rushing Dez. Well, I think Dez disagrees because he has spoken many times about how he wants to play in the preseason finale.

Well, Jerry Jones is going to intervene, and I think Dez will be upset, but he’ll keep it to himself. I can empathize with his desire to help the team. He has a huge heart, and he wants to help his teammates.

He was the first guy in the top round to sign with his perspective team. His agent was the guy who orchestrated the holdout for Michael Crabtree, the receiver that the 49ers drafted, and yet, despite being in a situation where Eugene Parker, the said agent, could have milked the Cowboys for as much as possible; Dez Bryant is signed before anyone.

Many great players have worn the Dallas Cowboys uniform with pride and distinction during the teams glorious 50 year history. None however, can lay claim to the ultimate team nickname, “Mr. Cowboy” save one, the great Bob Lilly.

Though there are many current and former Cowboys who deserve their due recognition for helping the Dallas Cowboys become and maintain the title of “America’s Team”. However, a strong case can be made that if not for Bob Lilly, it may have never happened.

Many of the newer and younger Cowboy fans have all heard of the great Bob Lilly at one time or another. They may have even heard that he is considered by most to be the best Defensive Tackle in Cowboy history. A fact that cannot be disputed.

That said, it’s only a small part of Lilly’s amazing legacy and the impact he made on a young franchise that would soon become one of the juggernauts of the NFL.

Bob Lilly was born in 1939 and went to Texas Christian University where he became a star defensive end and was named to the All-America team. As part of this honor he received a camera as one of his awards, a gift that would surely impact the rest of his life.

In 1961 Bob was drafted with first overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys, thus becoming the first ever draft pick in franchise history. He would not disappoint.

Though he was originally drafted as a defensive end, in his third year with the Cowboys, coach Tom Landry switched his position to defensive tackle where he would become one of the best at his position in the NFL for many years to come.

Lilly was a punishing defender and his tough demeanor and sheer determination made him the undisputed leader of the Cowboys famous “Doomsday Defense’. Lilly was so unstoppable, that he was regularly double and triple teamed for the majority of his career.

He was selected to the Pro Bowl a then record 11 times between 1962 and 1973, and Lilly was also a seven time first team All Pro selection.

During his long 14 year Hall of Fame career he was as durable as they came missing only one game to a leg injury.

Lilly was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980, his first year of eligibility, and was the first player who spent his entire career with the Cowboys to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He is a member of the All Century Team and in 1999 was ranked number 10 on the “100 Greatest Football Players” by the Sporting News. Sports Illustrated calls him the greatest Defensive Tackle in NFL history.

In addition to being the Cowboys’ first ever draft pick, when all was said and done, “Mr. Cowboy” would also become the first player ever to be inducted into the “Ring of Honor”. He is the only Dallas Cowboy to wear the #74, and is the only number unofficially retired by the team.

Aside from football, Bob Lilly went on to become a noted photographer, a career that stemmed back to the day he began using the camera he won as an All-American. His interests included photographs of magnificent sunsets, majestic mountain ranges and scenic landscapes that captured all the natural beauty of the Midwest. He has launched a successful business where people can buy some of his most famous photographs.

When you are the most popular, most storied, most winning sports franchise in pro football history it comes with the territory that you have people who despise you. Call it jealousy, call it envy but its strong and its everywhere we turn.

The latest rants include Cowboys Number One Draft Pick Dez Bryant and the young tight end Martellus Bennett.

Okay maybe I will give them Dez, thats a valid complaint. He got his money and hasn’t even played in one pro game and already thinks he’s better than the veterans. Not cool Dez. So they are calling him “another Diva Cowboy”. Well the guy just scored nearly 12 million dollars, has been given the coveted number 88 and has already been deemed the super star wide receiver for America’s Team fresh out of college. To say expectations for Dez Bryant are high is an understatement.

You can blame Dez, blame Jerry Jones, or blame the media but I got money that says he produces and blows everyone away this season.

So, rumor is Marty B had a bad break-up and his ex posted nude pictures of him online. Who cares? What in the world does that have to do with football? Absolutely nothing. I have my own issues with Martellus’ off-the-field shenanigans but in reality he’s a backup tight end, a backup to one of the best in the league. Is he the future? Only time will tell. But he’s still young, immature and seems to crave a lot of attention. A professional athlete who wants all eyes on him – well thats totally unheard of, what in the world is he thinking?!

Like it or not all of these ridiculous stories sell, whether true or fabricated. People love to hate the Dallas Cowboys. Why do you think ESPN constantly disses the Cowboys? That’s easy, because hating on Dallas sells. It’s stirs up Cowboy followers and it revs up the haters. Personally, I very rarely watch ESPN for that very reason.

It doesn’t matter that there are players who have violated the league drug law or committed felonies. Hell, there have been times men have been suspected in rapes and murders, but if Tony Romo wants to play golf in the offseason or Miles Austin was in Las Vegas gambling and having a few drinks – well thats front page news! How dare they do something without a football in their hands.

Listen, like I said before it comes with the territory. I spent years defending Terrell Owens, because that’s what we do as Cowboys fans. I will admit I have a limit though, I never defended Pacman Jones. He truly was an embarrassment.

Earlier I went to visit my mom and she started talking about an article she read about Dez not carrying Roy’s pads on Yahoo!, and I immediately went into defense mode. It’s like a parent who’s child can do no wrong.

So when I go into work this morning and my boss who loves sports gossip starts telling me the latest, instead of defending Bryant and Bennett maybe I will turn the conversation around and talk about how great Romo and Austin are projected to be this season. Maybe I will tell him how excellent David Buehler is looking, how he’s blowing the experts away with his kicking talent. How about the fact that the Cowboys have a shot to be the first team in history to go to the Super Bowl in their own stadium and win!

When a hater comes straight up to me trashing my team I will defend them to the end. Call me a cheerleader, call me bias… no, you know what, just call me a Cowboys fan and damn proud of it.

Sean Lee, a Pittsburgh native, has gone from rooting against the Dallas Cowboys to wearing the Blue and Silver, and getting private tutoring in rookie mini-camp as he is the only linebacker in camp.

In a recent interview Lee admitted being from Pittsburgh there was no option but to root against them.

” I’m trying to recruit as many Cowboys fans as I can. As soon as I got the call from Mr. Jones, we went out and bought all the Cowboys gear we could find in Pittsburgh-which wasn’t very much.”

Sean Patrick Lee was born on July 22 1986. His older brother Conor, was the placekicker for the University of Pittsburgh from 2005-2008 and was the 2008 Big East Football Scholar-Athlete of the year.

Sean began his High School career at Upper St. Clair High School. A school known for its renowned linebacker corps, playing for head coach Jim Render. Sean ‘s high school team had a terrific record of 31-4 during his three years as a starter. In Sean’s senior year they recorded a record of 11-1. He had 95 tackles and four interceptions his senior year. In the tailback position he ran for 1,240 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also returned a punt for 75 yards for a touchdown. He was a first-team Associated Press Class AAAA All-State selection and was Male Athlete of the Year in 2005.

Sean graduated from Penn State in December 2009, with a degree in Finance, attaining a 3.09 grade point average. He is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference choice and added Academic All-District honors from ESPN in 2007. Sean was the 23rd pick in the second round of the 2010 draft.

Sean was the most versatile of the team playing all three linebacker positions.

Freshman – left outside linebacker

Sophomore – middle line-backer

Junior – right linebacker

Senior – left outside linebacker.

He was one of the hardest hitters on the team and ranked in the top seven players for tackles per games in the Big Ten.

Sean seems to be an all around athlete that can become a play-maker for the Dallas Cowboys.

He is known to be a leader and one of the nicest players on the team. He lends his free time to the Make a Wish foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the Special Olympics.

It seems he is a good fit for the Cowboys, but of course only time will tell.

Here are the results of our first Cowboys Poll of the new season. Last week we asked you…

What Do You Think Of The Cowboys Off Season Moves?

I am not surprised that 83 percent of you thought the Cowboys had a pretty darn good off season. Given the fact that we had to replace Bill Parcells and most of the coaching staff, I think we did alright with the new coaching regime. We also added some high profile players and locked in some of our stars to contract extensions as well. The word is that our top draft pick is in camp and he is turning some heads with his play and just signed a new contract. Not bad for the Cowboys, not bad at all.

This week we opened training camp as we prepare for a new season of Cowboys football!

Last season we had a few players that started to come into their own and showed us some flashes of big play ability. With that in mind, here is this weeks question.

I’ve been asked by several friends how far I think the Cowboys will go this year. I honestly think we can go all the way. Of course as a Cowboys Fan I’m supposed to say that, but I truly believe it now.

One reason I believe this is true, going into the draft this Saturday, we have no desperate needs. I know that all of our starters are great players and there are no concerns in any particular area. I’m pretty sure Wade and Jerry are going to draft players for the future but right now we are "locked and loaded".

Our weaknesses last year have been strengthened this offseason. A completely reconstructed coaching staff and the players signed in the offseason were great moves by the Cowboys. You will see major improvement in our offensive line with Leonard Davis. Then there is Ken Hamlin, who along side Roy Williams will be monstrous.

Not to mention our young players who learned so much in the past year. Tony Romo has more experience under his belt, including the crushing last play of the season. Believe it or not, that play will make him a greater player. Then of course what about our big 06 draft pick, Bobby Carpenter. He is going to be huge this year. He only played a few games last season and we got a taste of what he has to offer. Tyson Thompson is well and ready to play. He was very exciting to watch on returns last season until his ankle injury cut his season short. I could go on and on listing players who have matured since this time last year.

Our veterans will shine as well. Greg Ellis should be back on the field and as good as new. I think Terell Owens will thrive more this season if he remains a Cowboy. Now that he has been in Dallas for a year, the hype will die down and plus the surgeries on his finger should have him catching more passes in those crucial situations that were missed last season. Don’t get me wrong he had great numbers last year, but imagine what he can do when he is at 100%.

We certainly have alot to look forward to as Cowboys fans this year. There is no reason anyone should doubt that this team will be anything less than spectacular.